Aug. 29, 2018

USS Abner Read: Team Uncovers a Legacy of Perseverance and Valor

The waters off Alaska and in the Arctic have long been key strategic areas. In World War II (WWII) both the U.S. and Japan understood this and committed men and vessels to the area. Most people are aware of the historic Battle of Midway - but there was a complementary effort that took place in the Aleutians Islands at the same time between our

Aug. 17, 2018

The Naval History of Arkansas

Though Arkansas lacks a coastline, make no mistake that the "Natural State" has made its mark in U.S. naval history. Arkansas was admitted to the Union in 1836, and the first U.S. Navy vessel to bear its name was commissioned in 1863. The screw steamer Arkansas I served as a supply ship for Union warships during the Civil War. The fifth naval

Aug. 17, 2018

The Naval History of Alabama

While there are no longer any active naval installations in the state, Alabama's presence in U.S. naval history goes back for centuries. During the Civil War Battle of Mobile Bay in 1864, Rear Adm. David G. Farragut exclaimed, "Damn the torpedoes! Four bells! Captain Drayton, go ahead! Jouett, full speed!" Farragut's words have been popularly

Aug. 16, 2018

The Navy on the Ground: The Naval Railway Batteries of WWI

The first detachment arrived in France June 10, 1918, but waiting for their equipment and preparing the trains meant that they did not leave for the front until Aug. 18. They served continuously from then until war's end on Nov. 11, 1918. They scored some notable successes, especially considering that "the great majority of shots were fired without

Aug. 16, 2018

The Naval History of Michigan

It should come as little surprise that Michigan, bound by four out of the five Great Lakes, and possessing one of the longest freshwater coastlines in the world, has deep ties to naval history. More than 32 ships are named after Michigan, its cities, places, and people. Three ships have been named for the state, including a guided missile submarine

Aug. 16, 2018

The Naval History of Kentucky

Even states without any coastline have strong ties to the U.S. Navy. For example, look at the naval history and heritage of Kentucky, as seen in the life of Lt. jg. Richard Caswell Saufley. Saufley was born on Sept. 1, 1884, in Stanford, KY, and graduated from the Naval Academy in 1908. He was designated Naval Aviator No. 14. Saufley set numerous

Aug. 10, 2018

The Naval History of Connecticut

Home of the U.S. Navy's first submarine base, Connecticut plays an important role in the history of the U.S. Navy. Built in 1868, Naval Submarine Base New London began as a storage depot and naval yard. In 1898, work began on the yard to build a coaling station to refuel ships in the New England area. The base barely escaped closure in the early

Aug. 6, 2018

The Naval History of New Hampshire

New Hampshire has a short coast line but a long naval history. With the state motto, "Live Free or Die," coined by a Revolutionary War hero, it's no surprise New Hampshire has given rise to some notable naval leaders.Perhaps the most prominent, was astronaut Alan Bartlett Shepard, Jr., born on Nov. 18, 1923, in Derry, New Hampshire. Shepard was

Aug. 3, 2018

The Naval History of Rhode Island

Rhode Island may be small, but it is historically mighty. As a colony, Rhode Island was the first of thirteen to renounce allegiance to the British. And, while Rhode Island is less than 50 miles long and 37 miles wide, its 400 miles of coastline have ensured a rich naval past. The U.S. Navy cemented its presence in Rhode Island during the Civil War

Aug. 2, 2018

U.S. Coast Guard - One Strong Fighting Force

As America's oldest continuous seagoing service, established to enforce the maritime laws of the newly founded nation, the U.S. Coast Guard celebrates its birthday every August 4th! You might think the U.S. Navy is the oldest, but we're actually not. Interesting fact: Although the Continental Navy was established before the Coast Guard, the Navy